I'm not too worried with the election outcome, Nahda was better organised than other partis because of its resistance period against Ben Ali and many votes were lost to lesser partis which did get any candidate elected. With 41%, they'll have to negociate with other partis to get anything done.

Anyway, there will be a new election next year, the other partis will get more time to organize themselves and Nahda to prove their worth (or lack of it).

Not to be negative about this situation which is an actual improvement on middle eastern government, but in reality, this will most likely break down into some less democratic, more oppressive government over time. I don't know if it will turn out this way, but history sure seems to lean that way. I guess only time will tell, but for now, good for them; after all, this isnt an everyday occurance that a chagne like this can be made.

While some may criticize this election and the way that Tunisia is headed, it cannot be said that it isn't what the people want. I would rather take a religious group over a dictator any day of the week. While yes, I do agree that many Islamic (and other religions) governments are often not what the West wants, it should ensure a period a stability for this nation. Additionally, while many are critical of Sharia Law and its customs, something must be said in that it has lasted for a very long time. I look for Tunisia to move forward from this election and begin to establish a stable government that can best serve the people. While some may criticize, I believe the Tunisians may have found their answer.

It seems there is a lot here to like about the Tunisian election results. What will likely happen before between now and the adoption of a new constitution will be more cohesiveness among the liberal and progressive parties and a little more factionalism among Tunisia's conservatives. This will be exciting to watch.

Also, the cynics stereotyping Tunisia's [relatively] conservative Muslim community really need to reign it in. It seems El Nahda is more of a moderate-conservative Islam-oriented party, and is not interested in co-opting the democratic process. I'd compare them to the Republican Party in the United States (as a Christian-oriented party), but the Republicans are becoming much less interested in upholding democratic institutions.

As someone has already noted, religion-based parties are the ones with the numbers and support to put a significant chunk of people in power. In the US, there is a knee-jerk reaction to religious identification for political purposes since we place a lot of emphasis on separating church and state (besides how afraid people are of Islamism).

I think all of the countries who have overthrown post-colonial dictators have two examples in the region (although neither are Arab, if that's important): Iran and Turkey. With the fervor surrounding the revolution and overthrow of a tyrant (that was US-backed in Iran), momentum can be funneled by a party/movement into their own power so that people who were for the revolution were also anti-tyrant and pro-this party. In Iran, this led to the Islamic Republic, which was not necessarily what the majority of the people wanted, but it was the most powerful faction at the time. Meanwhile, Turkey's more secular democracy (although the current PM's party is religious) is doing its own thing.

"The proof of the pudding......" as you english like to say. All this rosy picture you paint about the Nahda (Islamic) win does not negate that it is a party with declared religious allegiance.
Don't tell me that we have Christian Democrats etc. in Europe. These are historical names no longer meaningful. Also in Europe there are constitutions declaring unequivocally individual rights and declared Secular states. Lest you be tempted to use the analogy.

While waxing lyrical about democracy you forget that Islamic means ipso facto alliance, by necessity to more radical Islamic elements both internal and external - particularly external, who are capabale through financing and coercion of infecting the most inocuous and begnin of religious institutions.
Already there is strife in Sidi Bouzid.

Vested interests from fanatical Arab states such as The Saudi Wahabis and the equally fanatical Iranian Shiaa compete to corrupt regimes in the area for their own ends. Each seeking to form their brand of Islamic hegemony in the region.

But perhaps you are infected by the niavete and wishful thinking that afflicts U.S. policy in the region?
Do you really believe that the so called Arab Spring was anything but the calm before the storm?
Do imagine for a single moment that the turmoil in almost every state in the region is a spontaneous event?!!
I can only conclude that this superficial if not naive analysis is disingenuous or outright hypocritical.
Every semi enlightened individual in Egypt can see external hands at work.

If you honestly believe that there can be such a thing as a secular islamic state then look to the declarations of these parties in Egypt and compare their utterances with their actions - undisguised hatred and persecution of the Christian minority for starters. Look to Algiers before their present uneasy calm. Look to Turkey whom the Fanatical Erdogan keeps trying to eliminate its secular constitution and introduce a much stricter Sharia one instead.
Please try to live up to your reputation of being an incisive analytical unbiased journal respected worldwide.
Such a shame!

It's crazy how an Islamist party is having such in impact in a state with a whole new democracy. It's going to be interesting to see how Tunisia is going to be in the future to improve its democratic system. There country is going through a lot with the whole losing a third of votes to obscure parties. People seem to get the whole democratic movement and leftist/liberal movement mixed up. Hopefully as time goes on Tunisia is able to improve their overall democracy and economy.

A Democratic,pluralistic and vibrant Arab - Islamic world is in the best interest of every one.In stead of trivializing the huge achievement that the Arab street has made during the last few months,we can work with them and pray for their success.At some point western values and Islamic ideals can meet and enrich each other.

Congratulations to Nahda, however who knows what this could bring. I am very optimistic about their victory and think only good things will come of this, but only time will tell. Tunisia, like many other Arab states are taking steps in what 'should' be the right direction. But once again, only time will tell, I don't like to celebrate prematurely.

This is a victory not only for the Nahda but for Tunisia as a whole. This country was full of turmoil not just 10 months ago. They have risen from the ashes and held their first democratic election. This is a win for democracy and hopefully Tunisia will keep on developing as a strong nation in the future.

It is about time that the Arab countries are putting their own into power. The past few decades puppets installed into countries by the US have been running the countries. Now that these arab countries are finally getting their own into power we can see if there will be a positive change. We've never gave them a chance to and we should not be interfering with it in the first place.

I wonder if their "proportional representation" is some sort of contrived legal gerrymandering, or if it works more similarly to the United states electoral college . Either way, its a pity that a third of votes counted for "nothing" , but impressive that sixty percent of people cared to vote at all. I hope democracy can reach people like this who clearly want it and will make use of it by casting their votes.

I think that so often people confuse democratic movements with being liberal/leftist movements. I actually find it really interesting that an islamist party had such a strong showing in a state with a new democracy. I also, think that it will be interesting to watch and see what Tunisia does in the future to improve its democratic system, because losing a third of the votes to obscure parties that will not be able to have any real impact on the future of the country seems like a waste to be. Either way, good luck to the people of Tunisia. Hopefully their democracy and economy will be prosperous in the future.

Religions, especially the three middle east ones, promise an Utopia of sorts, IF dogma unique to them is followed 'faithfully', that is unquestioningly.

They have no track record of having produced a great society hitherto, except what is mentioned in their own contentious literature.

Right now, it is fair to say, "All Islamic majority nations will move to the right in socio-religious terms, if not in economic terms."

A first step of the new Tunisian government would be to oblige all their women folk to hide under a black tent.

Islamic Utopia begins there. Expect some Islamic banking, where making profits is re-arranged but not banned. The amount of profit made by banks and financiers may be more not less than the decadent Western system - worse, you cannot ask questions. If you do, you would be working against Allah.

Other than these measures, by now non-Muslims are familiar with, sadly, the Islamic Utopia would not be so clearly evident.

As other posts have predicted, expect more, not less, violence and torture in Tunisian prisons, than under the ancien regime.

its interesting to be able to watch the growth and development of a newly formed democracy from its beginnings. you can contrast and compare their approach to those of other widely considered successful democracies.

One major contrast between the development of Tunisian government as of now with the United States is the lack of unity over ideas. the United State's government began with two general factions, Federalists and Anti-Federalists. while not all members/candidates for senate or president agreed entirely on every point mentioned in campaign, America quickly turned into a two party system, though the names and opinions of these parties have shifted over time.

Tunisia on the other hand has seemed to ignore the obvious idea that if your ideas are close, party unity will help get your point across. with numerous separate parties fighting for the same general ideas, but campaigning under different affiliations, your ability to out-represent a unified, organized opponent is next to impossible.

It will be interesting if by the next election these small parties catch on and are able to join together to push their ideals across.

I did not vote for the party who "won" but I am rather satisfied with the situation now. The only thing that none of the Tunisians accept is that party called el Ariidha . But They have just said in local TV that they removed them some seats and that made my day.
I am rather optimistic. The islamist moderate party seems to get along with the liberal parties which makes us estimate that the decisions would be centrist. I hope one day we can follow the Turkish model.